Only issue I have is that its not a wagon like the touring is. IMHO, you don't gain that much more cargo room when the back seats are up. They typically shorten the backend to make it more hatch like instead of wagon. Looking at the pictures, the distance from the end of the trunk to the back seat is shorter than the sedan.

Djarum:Only issue I have is that its not a wagon like the touring is. IMHO, you don't gain that much more cargo room when the back seats are up. They typically shorten the backend to make it more hatch like instead of wagon. Looking at the pictures, the distance from the end of the trunk to the back seat is shorter than the sedan.

Speaking of the touring, is there any word as to its fate? I have not been following it but I saw one this morning and was thinking to myself if Hyundai will keep it around.
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Djarum:Only issue I have is that its not a wagon like the touring is. IMHO, you don't gain that much more cargo room when the back seats are up. They typically shorten the backend to make it more hatch like instead of wagon. Looking at the pictures, the distance from the end of the trunk to the back seat is shorter than the sedan.

Zoomin:Speaking of the touring, is there any word as to its fate? I have not been following it but I saw one this morning and was thinking to myself if Hyundai will keep it around.

RedChocobo:Lack of power will still make it a soul-less appliance devoid of driving excitement.

I don't know. Power is only one thing. The upgraded suspension and the adjustable steering sound like it will be much more fun to drive than the sedan or coupe.
----------------------2011 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited2008 Hyundai Elantra GLS2001 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2L V8 5-speed manual Quad-Cab1987 Ford Ranger XLT 2.9L V6 5-speed manual Extended-Cab

Standard heated front sweets is pretty cool, especially for the snowboarding folk that need to thaw out on the way down the mountain .

Back up camera standard is pretty impressive considering we are talking a Hyundai Elantra.

I remember back in 2002 when I bought our Elantra, I was always jealous of the GT's "blue" illumination, you got the standard green on the sedan. You always got something a little more special on the GT. Its too bad they did not offer a GT sedan in 2002, I would have bought that one!
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Djarum:Only issue I have is that its not a wagon like the touring is. IMHO, you don't gain that much more cargo room when the back seats are up. They typically shorten the backend to make it more hatch like instead of wagon. Looking at the pictures, the distance from the end of the trunk to the back seat is shorter than the sedan.

Zoomin:Speaking of the touring, is there any word as to its fate? I have not been following it but I saw one this morning and was thinking to myself if Hyundai will keep it around.

Rofl Wafflez:The GT is replacing the Touring model.

Gotcha, thanks for the info. The pics above are not showing up, do you have a link by chance to them?
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The Elantra GT aka Hyundai i30 is a much more premium vehicle than the Elantra and it shows. Buyers will also get a more premium experience when they choose this car. Makes the Acura ILX look like a cheap Civic.(the ILX looks pretty nice though)
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Djarum:Only issue I have is that its not a wagon like the touring is. IMHO, you don't gain that much more cargo room when the back seats are up. They typically shorten the backend to make it more hatch like instead of wagon. Looking at the pictures, the distance from the end of the trunk to the back seat is shorter than the sedan.

EXACTLY.

The older Elantra Touring may not have been a real looker but it was a nice, affordable, alternative to a small SUV. I was excited about a small wagon based on the current Elantra. Frankly, I'm disappointed that they went with a hatch instead. As you mention, it looks like the cargo area with seats up is smaller than that of the sedan. The cubic feet may look impressive but a lot of that is vertical space that you just do not use.